The Adansi Asokwa District Assembly celebrated this year’s World Day Against Child Labor, 2023 on the 13th of June 2023 at Bodwesango. The celebration was in a form of a community durbar which drew many people from different communities across the district, dignitaries, and key stakeholders in the fight against child labor. The celebration was a collaboration with the International Cocoa Initiative, Ghana, and its partners. Institutions present at the occasion were; the District Assembly representatives, the Hon. Presiding Member, the Ghana Police Service, CHRAJ, The Cocoa Health and Extension services at Brofoyedru, the Ghana Education Service, Ghana Health Service, and the Traditional Council. The global theme for this year’s celebration was “Protecting Children Against Child Labour Now More Than Ever while the national theme was “Intensify Action Against Child Labour; Do it Fast, Do it Now.”
The objective of the program was to sensitize the general public on the negative impacts of child labor and the need for collective actions to help end it now more than ever.
A total of four hundred and sixty-eight persons participated in the program. Three hundred and fifty-four of the participants were males and one hundred and thirty-two were females.
Nana Adu Gyamfi III, the Gyaasehene of Bodwesango graced the occasion as the Chairman and the District Chief Executive of the District, who was represented by the District Coordinating Director and was the Special Guest for the occasion. The program was also graced with cultural displays and poem recitals on child labor performed by students from the various schools in Bodwesango. Personnel from the District Health Directorate organized medical screening for participants in the program. The program commenced at exactly 10:30am with opening prayer from the Pentecost Church, Bodwesango.
This report presents addresses on the themes and the concept of Child and forced labor as well as issues raised by participants. The report concludes with the inauguration of a seven-member committee to help address issues and protect children against child labor in the Bodwesango community.
ADDRESS BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DISTRICT CHIEF EXECUTIVE ON THE GLOBAL THEME; “Protecting Children Against Child Labour Now More Than Ever
The speech was read on behalf of the District Chief Executive of Adansi Asokwa by the District Coordinating Director, Mr. Ebenezer Ayisi Ntow. He expressed delight for the members present and all the partners associated with the organization of the program. He therefore sought permission the absence of the Hon. DCE who had an equal function to attend and regret for not being present at the function.
In his speech he shed light on the critical issue of child labor, urging immediate action and unwavering commitment from all stakeholders.
He defined Child labor as a violation of human rights that undermines principles of equity, dignity, and social justice. He added that millions of children worldwide are subjected to hazardous conditions, denied education, and forced into exploitative labor, depriving them of their childhood, opportunities for growth, and basic rights. He indicated the implication of child labor is huge on the development of the district such that most of the children are denied education and therefore become underdeveloped to perform functions toward the development of their family, community, and district as a whole.
He, therefore, called for unity and collaboration among governments, civil society organizations, communities, and individuals. He assured the public of the District’s effort to enact and enforce its bylaws that protects children’s rights, ensuring their safety, well-being, and access to quality education.
He added that education was identified as a crucial element in breaking the cycle of child labor. Access to quality education is essential for children to reach their full potential and escape the chains of poverty. He, therefore, urged stakeholders to invest in sustainable development, poverty reduction, and social inclusion, creating an enabling environment that safeguards children and empowers families.
He then added that businesses and industries play a significant role in eliminating child labor from their supply chains. Responsible business practices, transparency, and adherence to international labor standards were some of the things he highlighted as crucial steps toward ensuring that consumer choices do not contribute to the exploitation of children. Support for companies committed to ethical sourcing and fair labor practices was encouraged.
In his concluding remarks, he reemphasized that protecting children against child labor is not only a moral imperative but also an obligation to future generations. It calls for collective action, raising awareness, and implementing concrete measures to eradicate this scourge from societies worldwide. He, therefore, mentioned that the power to make a difference lies within each individual, and by joining hands, we can create a world where children are shielded from exploitation and allowed to flourish.
ADDRESS BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCASION, NANA ADU GYAMFI III OF BODWESANGO TRADITIONAL COUNCIL
The second address which focused on the national theme; Intensify Action Against Child Labour; Do it Fast, Do it Now.” was delivered by the Chairman of the occasion, Nana Adu Gyamfi III, the Gyaasehene of the Bodwesango Traditional Area. He commended the organizers of the occasion and stressed the importance of occasions like this and recommended that it be repeated in other communities in the district.
He began by emphasizing the dangers of child labor the enemy of children as It deprives children of their childhood, education, and the opportunity to develop into thriving adults. He indicated that it saddened him to see children engaged in hazardous work, subjected to physical and emotional abuse, and deprived of their basic rights. He mentioned that all these are caused by poverty, lack of access to education, and societal inequalities.
He, therefore, mentioned that steps such as upholding children’s rights, breaking the cycle of poverty, building a sustainable workforce, and strengthening social cohesion by fostering equal opportunities and reducing inequality can help reduce child labor to its minimum level.
He, therefore, encouraged all stakeholders present, parents, community leaders, and all community members present to help the fight against child labor and ensure that every child deserves a childhood filled with joy, love, and the freedom to dream. Together, we can make it a reality.
ADDRESS BY THE DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER ON CHILD AND FORCED LABOR.
The final address was delivered by Jeffery Amo -Asare, the District Social Welfare Officer. He gave an overview of forced labor and child labor based on the indicators defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in its survey guidelines titled “HARD TO SEE, HARDER TO COUNT” (2012). He mentioned that forced labor focuses on the ILO’s two criteria, namely “involuntariness” and the “menace of penalty,” which are used to identify forced labor situations in both adults and children. It also distinguishes between child work, which is positive and non-detrimental, and child labor, which involves underage, unsupervised work and excessive hours.
He stated that forced labor of adults is defined as work in which a person has not offered themselves voluntarily (involuntariness) and is performed under coercion (menace of penalty) by an employer or a third party. Coercion can occur during the recruitment process or during employment to force individuals to accept tasks not agreed upon or to prevent them from leaving the job. Involuntary elements include unfree recruitment, performing tasks for other employers, forced overtime, and hazardous tasks. Coercion elements involve very low or no salary, degrading living conditions, extended work periods, limited freedom to terminate the labor contract, and various means of imposing work against a person’s will.
He also touched on the forced labor of children which he mentioned to encompass work performed by children under specific reference periods. This includes work done for a third party under the threat or menace of penalty applied by a third party (other than the child’s parents), work done with or for the child’s parents while they are themselves in forced labor, work done with or for the child’s parents under threat or menace of penalty applied by a third party, and work performed under the worst forms of child labor, such as debt bondage or forced or compulsory labor.
He also stated that not all work performed by children should be considered child labor. Many children engage in lawful work that is appropriate for their age and maturity, contributing positively to their development and family income. Child work is characterized by activities suitable for a child’s age, working while learning, working for short periods, and working under the supervision of responsible adults. This type of work helps develop skills, prepares children for adulthood, and does not hinder their education or overall well-being.
He indicated that the ILO Convention No.138 outlines regulations regarding child labor. It defines light work as work that is not harmful to the child’s health, does not affect their attendance at school, and allows them to benefit from their education. The Convention sets minimum ages for employment, light work, and hazardous work. It categorizes the worst forms of child labor as unconditional, such as sexual exploitation, abuse, bonded labor, forced child labor, and trafficking, and conditional, involving hazardous activities based on age and context.
In conclusion, he encouraged all farmers to help report any form of child labor to his outfit and other government institutions such as the Police, CHRAJ, and community leaders to enable help fight the menace.
INAUGURATION OF COMMUNITY CHILD PROTECTION COMMUNITY
A seven-member child protection committee was inaugurated at the ceremony with the following objectives;
- To prevent Child Abuse and Neglect: Develop strategies and initiatives to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect within the community, aiming to prevent incidents and create a safe environment for all children.
- To strengthen Child Protection Policies: Advocate for the development and implementation of effective child protection policies and procedures in all community institutions, including schools, childcare centers, sports clubs, religious organizations, and community centers.
- To promote Reporting Mechanisms: Establish and promote accessible and confidential reporting mechanisms for child abuse and neglect cases within the community, ensuring that individuals feel comfortable and empowered to report concerns.
- To Provide Training and Education: Organize training sessions and workshops for community members, including parents, teachers, caregivers, and community leaders, to increase their knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and equip them with the necessary skills to recognize, respond to, and prevent child abuse.
- To Support Victims and Families: Collaborate with local support services, organizations, and agencies to ensure that victims of child abuse and their families receive the necessary care, counseling, and support they need to heal and recover from the trauma.
- To Foster Community Engagement: Engage community members in child protection initiatives, encouraging their active participation in creating a protective environment for children. This can be done through awareness campaigns, community events, and volunteer opportunities.
- To Conduct Regular Assessments: Regularly assess the effectiveness of child protection measures in the community, identifying gaps and areas for improvement. Use the findings to adjust strategies, policies, and practices to ensure continuous progress in safeguarding children.
- To Monitor and Evaluate Progress: Establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track the progress of child protection efforts in the community. Regularly assess the impact of interventions and initiatives, making necessary adjustments to ensure continuous improvement and effectiveness.
The community members were encouraged to support the committee to help them work effectively.
CONCLUSION
The program was brought to a close at 2:30 pm when the Chairman of the occasion expressed admiration for the participation of all actors and stakeholders who were present. In his closing remarks, he indicated that the road leading to minimizing incidents of child labor is achievable through challenges and therefore called upon everyone to help in the fight against child labor.
A vote of thanks was said by one of the students from Bodwesango D/A basic school and a closing prayer was said by the Pentecost Minister of Bodwesango Area.
The event was successful and all intended plans to him advocate and sensitize citizens on child labor were achieved.
